Two Hands - 7/10: Australia's 'Snatch.' A more serious Australian film than the others, but still with the natural touches of larkinism somewhat inherent in Australian culture. The story follows a strip club bouncer (Heath Ledger) who falls in love, and scores a job with some Australian gangsters (chiefly Brian Brown). Heath is sent on his first job, which goes horribly wrong, leaving him looking to fix things to save his life.

The story shows a good deal of Sydney as it is, and presents us with a funny story, and characters I could swear I meet week to week. 'It's a good country, you'll never go back,' my uncle used to say, knowing full well I was born here. I don't know how that relates to anything, but I just thought I should write it.

'Loneliness does not come from having no people about one, but from being unable to communicate the things that seem important to oneself, or from holding certain views which others find inadmissible.'C. G. Jung

'I began the revolution with eighty-two men. If I had to do it again, I could do it with ten or fifteen and absolute faith. It does not matter how small you are if you have faith and plan of action.'Fidel Castro

Ran (1985)Very well made. One of those old movies that's bearable to watch, partly because it's an adaptation of King Lear, and the plot captivates you from the beginning, but also because the acting is solid, and the cinematography is incredible.

W.C. wrote:Crocodile Dundee - 9/10: Over the top, very Australian. Paul Hogan's from the older generation of Australian larrikins. He used to have a Australian comedy show back before he got into film (it's be difficult to locate, but these too are very well worth the watch). Very tongue in cheek, but an easy and fun watching experience.

The film follows the story of a journalist who comes from the States to write a story on a man who survived a crocodile attack. The journalist travels with Paul Hogan through to the scene of the incident, overcoming certain obstacles along the way.

[Spoiler] I particularly love the scene where Mick (Paul Hogan) kisses Donk instead of punching him to dislodge the beer from the top of his head. That, and the scene where Mick just shoves a massive knife through a crocodiles skull, to which the journalist still recovering from the shock of the incident asks shakily, '...is it dead?' In pure larrikin fashion, Mick replies, 'well if it's not, I'm gonna one hell of a time skinning the bastard.'

Classic movie, a must-see film if you haven't already. The sequel is quite amusing too.

Science fiction film from the USSR, made in the late 70's, directed by Tarkovsky. Tarkovsky's got a massive cult following, mostly for this film and Solaris, so I was apprehensive before seeing it.

It's not about a stalker. The stalker is a guide, who leads people through a forbidden area called the Zone, heavily protected by the state. Something happened in the Zone, and no-one knows quite what, but it's probably something to do with aliens. There's a room in a building in the Zone that will apparently grant your most dear wish, but the landscape is fraught with unseen danger, illogicality and the threat of random death for those who don't respect the Zone's rules. The film is about Stalker taking two people, the Professor and the Writer, into the Zone. I can't give any spoilers, or even confirm or deny that there are spoilers to give. It's a very talky film, and after the excitement of breaking into the Zone, the pace slows right down and the harsh monochrome of the outside gives way to saturated, lush colours of the nature in the Zone. Everything about the Zone is non-linear, contrary to expectations, menacing in an entirely passive way.

It's a film about man's relationship with the unknown, about hope, truth and faith and uncertainty and how the stories we tell and the reasons we give are formed by, and form, our view of the world. And it leaves the unknown unknown, there's no grand denouement in which a wizard is found behind the curtain or the magic of the Zone is explained, no aliens or deus ex machina. The final scene is beautifully-shot and strange, emphasising the unknown world that the people are dealing with. It's a slow, thoughtful film that stayed with me for a long time afterwards. I am sure some people hate its intellectual pretensions, wordiness, lack of pace and resolution, but I think even they could enjoy the beautiful imagery in the Zone.

Coriolanus wrote:Ran (1985)Very well made. One of those old movies that's bearable to watch, partly because it's an adaptation of King Lear, and the plot captivates you from the beginning, but also because the acting is solid, and the cinematography is incredible.

I watched Skyfall the other day... maybe it was just the timing, that I couldn't concentrate all too much (which is generally ok in action flicks), but I was disappointed. I didn't much enjoy the story, or the action scenes. I'll give it another go soon though, when I can concentrate a little better.

I've got quite a few movies from the recommendations here though, and look forward to watching them. Has anyone seen Safe House? How was it?

W.C.

'Loneliness does not come from having no people about one, but from being unable to communicate the things that seem important to oneself, or from holding certain views which others find inadmissible.'C. G. Jung

'I began the revolution with eighty-two men. If I had to do it again, I could do it with ten or fifteen and absolute faith. It does not matter how small you are if you have faith and plan of action.'Fidel Castro

I got Coriolanus to watch as well, and a few others I can't recall right now. I've got quite a bit more time on my hands to watch movies now, so if you have any other recommendations, I'm happy to watch.

I've seen talk around Cloud Atlas, and am curious. I may grab it soon and review if no ones seen it. That said, anyone seen it yet?

W.C.

'Loneliness does not come from having no people about one, but from being unable to communicate the things that seem important to oneself, or from holding certain views which others find inadmissible.'C. G. Jung

'I began the revolution with eighty-two men. If I had to do it again, I could do it with ten or fifteen and absolute faith. It does not matter how small you are if you have faith and plan of action.'Fidel Castro

I haven't been in a movie theater in over six years.. and I watched Sicario yesterday. You didn't see it coming until about half way... wow, what a plotline. Something I will now ruin for you. So Del Toro is basically a hitman for the big drug cartels out of Columbia who is working with/through the CIA to get at the head guy of one of the Mexican cartels. It's understood by the CIA and the major drug lords that the war on illegal drugs will never be won.. so the next best thing is maintain some kind of order and control over the industry. One Mexican cartel in particular is making too much noise so the Columbians send Del Toro to handle the cartel boss... not only that, but this cartel is also responsible for killing Del Toro's wife and daughter. So this one's personal.

Then they bring in Blunt who's an FBI agent and doesn't have a clue about what's really going on. Things escalate, they aren't telling her the truth.. she's gonna defect unless she gets some answers. No. You wouldn't understand Emily. There are things that must happen above and beyond the law. Nothing will make sense to your American ears, but in the end you'll understand.

Zoot Allures wrote:I haven't been in a movie theater in over six years.. and I watched Sicario yesterday. You didn't see it coming until about half way... wow, what a plotline. Something I will now ruin for you. So Del Toro is basically a hitman for the big drug cartels out of Columbia who is working with/through the CIA to get at the head guy of one of the Mexican cartels. It's understood by the CIA and the major drug lords that the war on illegal drugs will never be won.. so the next best thing is maintain some kind of order and control over the industry. One Mexican cartel in particular is making too much noise so the Columbians send Del Toro to handle the cartel boss... not only that, but this cartel is also responsible for killing Del Toro's wife and daughter. So this one's personal.

Then they bring in Blunt who's an FBI agent and doesn't have a clue about what's really going on. Things escalate, they aren't telling her the truth.. she's gonna defect unless she gets some answers. No. You wouldn't understand Emily. There are things that must happen above and beyond the law. Nothing will make sense to your American ears, but in the end you'll understand.

I started watching it, didnt like the colors, didnt like the lady, the tone, so bleak and predetermined it seemed... I opted for The Shield.

Maybe the best movie I ever saw, because it is the best movie (maybe) of the Twothousands, and they trump in technical wit all that was 90's and prior even though the soul was far happier there, is Margin Call.

It gets a 22 out of 10 with AAA+++ rating from the Bank of England personally.

"Listen, nothing I can say is gonna make you feel any better, it's just gonna suck for a while and then you're gonna be fine."

I picked a scene of low level guys so the story dont get spoiled. It's about the banking crisis though. If you want a movie where some proper shit goes properly down, then this one night story is the best I can think of.

Was looking forward to Life (2017) because I though it had a potential to be an interesting movie, but that movie turned out to be such a BIG LETDOWN. It's basically about a super flying octopus in space, with a plot written by a 6 yr old mind with vivid fantasy. It's very visceral but not logical at all.

Anthony Hopkins' rendition of Hannibal Lecter cannot be topped...ever. Hopkins' eyes dance mischievously as he processes information and are more penetrating when he asks questions. The version of Lecter that Brian Cox plays in Manhunter is flat, void of dimensions, common. I did enjoy Will Graham more than Clarice however.

I AM OFFICIALLY IN HELL!

I live my philosophy, it's personal to me and people who engage where I live establish an unspoken dynamic, a relationship of sorts, with me and my philosophy.

Cutting folks for sport is a reality for the poor in spirit. I myself only cut the poor in spirit on Tues., Thurs., and every other Sat.

Anthony Hopkins' rendition of Hannibal Lecter cannot be topped...ever. Hopkins' eyes dance mischievously as he processes information and are more penetrating when he asks questions. The version of Lecter that Brian Cox plays in Manhunter is flat, void of dimensions, common. I did enjoy Will Graham more than Clarice however.

When I first saw Silence of the Lambs I was terrified. HA. and thought as you did regarding Hopkins' portrayal of Hannibal.

Then a couple of years ago I saw Manhunter. On reflection most psychopaths/serial killers are as benign as your guy next door and how many next door neighbours are amazed he was living close by. Take the Green River Killer for instance. So Brian Cox I believe was fairly accurate.

On the other hand, Hopkins seems to me to be rather dramatic and his voice somewhat sing songy, if you get my drift. The part where he strings up the guard at the end is so far fetched if you think about it, like the time needed to do this, the height of where the body was positioned and how he could have done this alone. There were moments that were scary but it seemed to become ridiculous towards the end of the film.

I could watch Manhunter again, but not Silence of the Lambs it is too far fetched.

I understand what you're saying, but the back story of Hannibal Lecter is not the typical guy next door resume which is what makes him fascinating on paper, but Cox failed to deliver an extraordinary characterization, failed to bring Lecter to life. Lecter was a respected physician with a genius IQ, highly educated, well-traveled, with refined tastes. Not a common man. The world was his oyster.

On the other hand, the Green River Killer, Gary Ridgway, drove a truck after leaving the army with only his HS diploma. He was married three times. A sex addict. A religious zealot. More like a typical guy ( ).

Gary Ridgway was tested with an I.Q. of 82. Wiki

Silence of the Lambs sits in one of my bookcases. Hopkins regrets having played Lecter in the two movies following.

I AM OFFICIALLY IN HELL!

I live my philosophy, it's personal to me and people who engage where I live establish an unspoken dynamic, a relationship of sorts, with me and my philosophy.

Cutting folks for sport is a reality for the poor in spirit. I myself only cut the poor in spirit on Tues., Thurs., and every other Sat.

Gary Ridgeway may have had an IQ of only 82, but he began killing in 1982 and was not caught until 2001. 'He was initially convicted of 48 separate murders and later confessed to nearly twice that number'. Wiki

Apparently one does not need to have an outrageously high IQ to be a success as a serial killer.